The new chairman of the Kent Regional Cricket League has hailed the smoothness with which the newly-formed league was introduced.

After a year of discussion, the Kent Feeder League East and West merged at a meeting last week to form a new organisation which will provide county-wide cricket for teams below the Kent League structure.

And Keith Hemstalk, the former chairman of the East, said: "It all went very smoothly indeed which was a pleasant surprise. The support for the merger was almost unanimous and ever since we have had clubs coming forward asking if they can join the new league."

The new league’s top division will be the county-wide Premier League, with localised East and West Championships forming the tier below.

Below the Championship there will be four regionalised competitions, each with two divisions, the Metropolitan, West, Central and East Divisions 1A and B. Second XI cricket will also receive an overhaul, but there will be no county-wide division at this level.

There will be two regionalised East and West competitions with two divisions in the west and three in the east.

Infact the league’s new general committee have had to extend the deadline for new teams who want to be included in a rejigged ladder – with new teams being placed at an appropriate level, rather than having to begin in the bottom tier.

Among the clubs to have been elected to the new league are Hollingbourne, Mersham Sports, Horton Kirby, Roebucks, Tenterden 3rds, Brook, Dover Cosmopolitan, Minster (Thanet), Worth and Westbrook.

Other new teams elected to the league are Bapchild 3rds, Littlebourne 3rds, Betteshanger 3rds, Street End 2nds and Old Hartsdonians 2nds.

Teams wishing to apply must contact league secretary Peter Robinson on 01732 840003 or 07968 079948 before December 1.